How to get the baby to sleep – #BathBookBed with Jo Frost

Baba and I were lucky enough to be invited to take part in the #BathBookBed campaign with Jo Frost and BookTrust (plus, let’s not forget Daddy Pig!). So off we went last week. Direction Lakeside! After a journey on the train and some food, we were ready to hear all the tips from the famous TV Parenting expert Jo Frost. The campaign is here to encourage parents and carers to make stories part of their little one’s bedtime routine, helping them to sleep well. It was lovely to meet Jo Frost and listen to her tips. Here is how to get the baby to sleep!

A great event full of ideas.

The lack of sleep, you are not the only parent!

We have all been there, as soon as our little one arrived in our life. I remember the sleepless nights the first few months. We used to take it in turns with Grumpy Boyfriend to give Baba his dose of milk. And he has always been a big eater, so we got up beaucoup…

Then, the pressure to manage to have the baby sleep through the night. You want to be an example, so the soonest, the best. I remember being desperate as, after some months, Baba was still waking up at nights. The guilt and a bit of shame as well started to immerse me. I started wondering if I was not feeding my little one enough in the day. And bien sûr, getting tips and ideas from everyone, even people who actually don’t have children! Un cauchemar!

Attending the public event, I was surprised to see so many people admitting that they were struggling to put their enfants to sleep. Jo Frost was great. Going personally to the audience, she would talk to people face to face and would dare to ask them questions to get to know the problem to then offer a solution.

Jo was fab!

More importantly, she made me realise that I was not the only one to find it difficult! After all, it’s one of the biggest challenges. How to get the baby to sleep? If it’s difficile for you (but I must highlight that it is the case for many parents!), ask for help!

A simple but consistent routine is best

The #BathBookBed campaign is simple. The secret to the success is being consistent. Introduce the routine and more importantly, maintain it. That is what will work. Routine is important as it fosters stability, creativity, and consistency. By following the same pattern every day, your little ones feel secure. They know it means it’s the end of the day. Furthermore, they are part of it!

Another important point that Jo Frost made was not to rush things. Children feel it very quickly and if you try to achieve it all too swiftly, it will not work. Since the talk at the shopping centre, I have introduced it to Baba and reduce the time step by step. The first evening took us about 1 hour and a half before he was sleeping like an angel. Today took a little less than 1 hour! We are getting there! It’s hard work, but it’s paying off! I am beaming with joy! I can do it!

Whatever you decide to do, just stick to it. And if you fail sometimes, carry on trying!

At first, he pretended not to pay attention and was eating pens instead…

A story to feed their imagination, creativity and confidence

The bath all done, le bébé is relaxed. The book comes into play. It’s a great way to bond with your little one. Since I implemented the Bath, Book, Bed routine in the Frenchie House, I have found myself more relaxed. It is very nice to lie down next to Baba. I am actually enjoying reading stories to him. I even rediscovered some classic Frenchie personnages such as Babar l’éléphant. But we also had a look at Daddy Pig’s tips on how to rock parenthood. The famous Papa Cochon is such a wally! Even worse than Grumpy Boyfriend!

But then he realised this lady was talking sense! Soon, Maman was going to try the #BathBookBed strategy on him!

How to get the baby to sleep with #BathBookBed

I suppose I was avoiding it because I was always so busy. As soon as I would get home from work, I would be juggling so many things at once. Le bébé, le dîner, le blog… Sometimes, it is important to stop and just enjoy the moment. Nothing better to do it with my favourite Frenchie Baby 🙂

I was impressed with Jo Frost. She gave everyone in the audience some concrete help. I have tried her tips and so far, it’s been a great success! More importantly, she brought back my confidence.

Do you want to know more?

Are you struggling with the bedtime routine? A new challenge came around lately and you don’t know what to do? Or do you simply want to know more? Then visit www.booktrust.org.uk/bathbookbed for more info. You can download a new booklet featuring tips and advice from Jo. De plus Daddy Pig gives you some words of wisdom! We had a look with Baba and le Frenchie baby agreed with a lot of points made by le cochon! Alternatively, you can also check out your local library or children’s centre where you can pick up a copy of this wonderful A5 Bath, Book, Bed 16 page booklet featuring Daddy Pig.

A fabulous campaign you want to try! We are testing it and Frenchie Mummy is loving it!

And if you have yourself worked out some fabulous tips to put your little one to bed with success, please share them with us! I am impatient to hear all your secrets super mamans!

Disclosure: this is a collaborative post commissioned by BookTrust. Visit their website for some fabulous info!

Looks like a great event for Maman and le bébé! I love Jo Frost. Used to watch her long long long before I had a baby! Also, a total advocate of #bathbookbed as a nighttime routine. Glad it’s working. Will certainly check out the site, even though Daddy Pig and I are currently on a break! ?x